If your child has ever had a big idea and wasn’t sure what to do with it, this is the book for them. “What Do You Do With an Idea?” by Kobi Yamada is a gentle, beautifully illustrated story about believing in yourself and giving your ideas room to grow. Settle in and watch it read aloud below.
Watch the Read-Aloud
Grab a cushion and press play — this one’s lovely to watch together.
The story is read by Karen Geraghty, whose warm, storyteller’s voice brings the book to life for kids and grown-ups alike.
What the Book Is About
“What Do You Do With an Idea?” is written by Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Mae Besom. It follows a child who has an idea — a strange, wonderful, slightly scary idea — and isn’t sure what to do with it at first.
As the child spends more time with the idea, protecting it and believing in it, both the child’s confidence and the idea itself begin to grow. And then, one day, something amazing happens.
It’s a simple story with a big message: ideas that feel too big, too odd, or too different are often the ones most worth holding onto. It’s a gorgeous read for children (and adults) who need a little encouragement to trust what’s in their own heads.
Why Families Love This Book
This book has become a favourite in a lot of homes and classrooms, and it’s easy to see why:
- It sparks conversations about confidence, creativity and self-belief.
- The illustrations grow more colourful and expansive as the idea grows — a lovely visual metaphor kids pick up on quickly.
- It works well as a bedtime story, a classroom read, or a gentle pep talk for a child who’s feeling unsure of themselves.
- It’s short enough to hold little ones’ attention, but rich enough for older kids to reflect on too.
The book is widely available from bookshops and online retailers, so it’s easy to add to your family’s shelf.
About the Author and Illustrator
Kobi Yamada is known for writing thoughtful, encouraging picture books for children and adults, often exploring themes of courage, kindness and imagination. Mae Besom’s illustrations give the story its warmth, using colour and light to show the idea coming to life.
About the Reader
Karen Geraghty trained as an actress before discovering her love of cooking. She’s now a professional cook and writer, sharing stories about food, life and family at her blog, Yankee Doodle Paddy. Her storytelling style — warm, unhurried and full of expression — is what made us want to share her reading of this book with MyKidsTime families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote “What Do You Do With an Idea?”
The book was written by Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Mae Besom.
What age is this book suitable for?
It’s a picture book that works well for young children from around preschool age up, but its message about self-belief and creativity resonates with older kids and adults too.
What is the book about?
It tells the story of a child who has an idea and slowly learns to nurture, protect and believe in it, watching it grow into something wonderful.
Who reads the story in the video?
Karen Geraghty, a cook and writer who blogs at Yankee Doodle Paddy, reads the story for us in a warm, engaging style.
More Ideas for Family Reading Time
If you enjoyed this story, you might like our other read-along book features and creativity-boosting activities for kids — perfect for cosy afternoons or wind-down time before bed.
Loved This Story?
If this book struck a chord, why not save this page to come back to, or browse more of our family reading and creativity ideas for more books worth adding to your shelf.
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